"59 Middle Lane" Captures Ammon Twins' Journey toward Healing

Alexa and Greg Ammon at the premiere of "59 Middle Lane" on Friday.
Carrie Ann Salvi

Anyone who followed the tale of the grisly death of Ted Ammon and its aftermath had to wonder at one point: “What happened to the children?”

Mr. Ammon was murdered in his East Hampton house at 59 Middle Lane in October 2001. Generosa Ammon, his estranged wife at the time, married Daniel Pelosi, the man who was ultimately convicted of his murder. They split up and then Generosa became sick and died of breast cancer.
In happier times, the Ammons had adopted twins from the Ukraine, Greg and Alexa. Greg, who is now a filmmaker, set out to tell their story of reconnecting with the past with their parents that they remember from the childhood in the United States as well as the life they left behind as toddlers in the Ukraine in the documentary “59 Middle Lane.”
The children were raised by their paternal aunt who had to sue for custody of them and they appear to have had a very warm and loving upbringing when she took over when they were in their teens. The twins were 10 years old when their father was murdered.
Now in their early 20s, the documentary follows them as they travel back to the house in East Hampton, at the address of the title, that appears to have been unoccupied since their mother died. As they readjust and let the memories come back we also learn that they will travel to the Ukraine to find their relatives and reconnect with them.
The journey is full of awkward and tender moments and the children, who at first seem a bit lost and self-conscious, fully open themselves up to the camera and allow viewers into their wayward, uneasy, and ultimately affirming walkabout.
Another screening will occur on Monday at 5:45 p.m. at the East Hampton Theater.

Greg and Alexa Ammon outside their East Hampton house in "59 Middle Lane."